Have you ever experienced a snow day and wanted it to never end? I sure had one of those days last weekend. A snowy winter day is definitely one of the most magical things to see, especially at one of the most famous places in Beijing- the Forbidden City. My family and I have been to the Forbidden City or Palace Museum several times. However, we have never been during the winter. A few days ago, a snow day gave us a perfect excuse to explore this familiar space in a different way.
The Forbidden City is the most popular sight in Beijing, or maybe even China, so you can be sure that there is always a crowd! However, you can avoid this by visiting during the colder months. Winter can be much less stressful to visit in comparison to spring, summer, and fall. 
In these seasons, the Forbidden City can be packed with tourists, locals, and foreigners alike, preventing you from really enjoying this historical sight. Also, visiting in the Summer can be incredibly hot, even for a history lover like me; I had a hard time enjoying this magnificent Palace Museum in the brazen heat. While Spring is mild and can be pleasant, if you are like me and suffer from seasonal allergies, Spring can make you feel itchy and uncomfortable. So, if you can endure the cold, consider coming to the Forbidden City this winter.
If you are planning on visiting the Forbidden City during the winter, there are some things you should know and do to stay warm in the harsh weather. First things first, dress warmly. Dress well, thick and in many layers, so that the heat molecules trapped inside your body stay insulated, and conduction does not occur while you are exploring the Forbidden City. In other words, try to stay heated! If you have any heat packs, be sure to bring them! They could come in handy for your hands and feet! Although stomping in the snow just once or twice will not kill you, do not go stomping and playing in the snow too much, unless you are wearing waterproof shoes. I learned this lesson the hard way. Trust me, cold, wet feet are an unpleasant experience, no matter how beautiful the Forbidden City is.
It is a good idea to pack a thermos with a hot drink to soothe your throat and warm your body. And also, a little helpful tip! If you are a foreigner and did not reserve an entrance ticket, not to fret! Get dropped off at Dongmen Gate and follow the sign and crowd around the moat toward the entrance. You can use your passport to purchase a ticket on the day. Do not go to the main entrance by Tiananmen; the lines are extremely long, and security is more strict.
Recently, there has been a new section of the Forbidden City that been opened to the public, Qianlong Garden. This section of the Forbidden City has not been open for twenty-five years due to renovation. So, it was the perfect and very exciting opportunity explore a newly opened area. But FYI, Qianlong Garden ticket fee is not a part of the entrance fee; it is RMB 10 for adults and RMB 5 for children. 
Tucked away in the north-west corner of the Palace of Tranquil Longevity area of the Forbidden City it can be a bit difficult to find but well worth the trouble. It was constructed between 1772 and 1776 and was personally designed by Qianlong Emperor after his abdication. This garden is extra special because most of the Forbidden City is all office buildings where the emperors would hold court and work. However, Qianlong Garden showed another view, another impression of the Forbidden City- where the imperial family lived, rest and relaxed.
Unfortunately, only 25% of the Qianlong Garden is open for sightseeing, while the other parts are still under renovation. You’ll experience exquisitely designed halls where the emperor sat to read edicts, his collection of porcelain vases, some bedrooms, and rock gardens with odd-shaped boulders that were imported from Jiangnan. The Qianlong Garden was also the home of the infamous Well of the Concubine Zhen. If you are looking for a thrilling story, look up the story of the infamous Concubine Zhen. The Qianlong Garden also houses the beautiful two-story opera house, to entertain the Empress Dowager, who did, in fact, enjoy opera. A lot.
I sure hope that this article will aid you if you plan on visiting the Forbidden City in the Winter. That’s all from me, and as always, stay tuned. And stay reading!!!
